Preview — He is the Monster
by Amy Ellis

He is the Monster

When Esther comes back at dawn on a school night, she’s expecting an argument with her parents at breakfast. Instead, the police arrest her father for molesting girls in their neighborhood. As her father awaits trial and her mother wastes away with grief, Esther seeks comfort in the things that make her numb: parties, boys and her secret relationship.

She is fine.

EverythiWhen Esther comes back at dawn on a school night, she’s expecting an argument with her parents at breakfast. Instead, the police arrest her father for molesting girls in their neighborhood. As her father awaits trial and her mother wastes away with grief, Esther seeks comfort in the things that make her numb: parties, boys and her secret relationship.

She is fine.

Everything is fine until Esther meets Matthew, who refuses to be just another notch in her bedpost. Forced to confront her feelings, Esther has to decide whether to stay comfortably wild and numb or if it’s time to start dealing with the painful reality of her shattered life.

Written in verse, He is the Monster tells the heartbreaking story of loss and desire after learning that your loved ones aren’t always who you think they are....more

Community Reviews

I enjoyed this quick (the book is written in prose) read about a mother and daughter dealing with their emotions as they find out their husband/father has been molesting young girls. The story is well written and pulls you in quickly. But, since it is prose, there is less character depth and development than you would find in a typical book. However, The story was very interesting and you really care about and worry about Esther as she navigates her way through school, relationships, and home whI enjoyed this quick (the book is written in prose) read about a mother and daughter dealing with their emotions as they find out their husband/father has been molesting young girls. The story is well written and pulls you in quickly. But, since it is prose, there is less character depth and development than you would find in a typical book. However, The story was very interesting and you really care about and worry about Esther as she navigates her way through school, relationships, and home while taking care of her mother and herself as everything falls apart....more

It might be because this book is written in verse that it read so quickly but I flew right through it! It was definitely captivating and explores a very dark side of life. I'm rating this a 4 out of 5 because it didn't feel like any one character was developed completely. You get to see things through the eyes of the mom, father and daughter but to me it felt like bits and pieces without ever fully developing. All three characters are definitely tormented in their own ways and Amy Ellis begins tIt might be because this book is written in verse that it read so quickly but I flew right through it! It was definitely captivating and explores a very dark side of life. I'm rating this a 4 out of 5 because it didn't feel like any one character was developed completely. You get to see things through the eyes of the mom, father and daughter but to me it felt like bits and pieces without ever fully developing. All three characters are definitely tormented in their own ways and Amy Ellis begins to explore that but in a sense also left me wanting more from each character. As the book makes its way to the end, it almost felt rushed in trying to piece the mother and daughter back together from their ruined state after finding out what their husband/father had done. Overall, it was well written book! I just wish that the story/characters were developed a little more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review....more

This is a dark story that really moved me in a lot of ways. It is told from the mother, father and daughter's point of view and have you thinking about what is going through their minds especially the mother and daughter. It is a story that makes you wonder how can one put their lives back together after finding out that your father/husband is a monster and everything you thought you believed about your love one is a lie. It is told in prose but none the less is deep and intense!

I received a freThis is a dark story that really moved me in a lot of ways. It is told from the mother, father and daughter's point of view and have you thinking about what is going through their minds especially the mother and daughter. It is a story that makes you wonder how can one put their lives back together after finding out that your father/husband is a monster and everything you thought you believed about your love one is a lie. It is told in prose but none the less is deep and intense!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review....more

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. This is the first time I have received a free ebook and I was somewhat apprehensive with regards to the quality of the book.

However, I read the book in a day and thoroughly enjoyed it. The book consists of three main characters, mother, father and daughter and describes how each is feeling, as the father is arrested. Instead of chapters each section is about how they are coping and feeling as their world is tore apart.

The subject matter iI received a free copy of this book for an honest review. This is the first time I have received a free ebook and I was somewhat apprehensive with regards to the quality of the book.

However, I read the book in a day and thoroughly enjoyed it. The book consists of three main characters, mother, father and daughter and describes how each is feeling, as the father is arrested. Instead of chapters each section is about how they are coping and feeling as their world is tore apart.

The subject matter is not an easy one, however the author hints at the crimes that have taken place and leaves the rest to your imagination. I feel the book could have been longer and delved more deeply into why and how. However, great book and look forward to reading more of Amy Ellis' books. ...more

She did not come home until six am from a night out expecting a row. She is in for a shock as her father is arrested for child abuse. Her mother wastes away. She goes wild and does everything she should not to dull the pain but one wants to help her. Will be be able to help her? See if he can

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Esther is a normal teenager sneaking in from a late night party. She expects yelling and punishment but finds her father being arrested for child molestation. This amazing piece of poetry tells us a story of a mother falling apart, a father who is a monster and a daughter who is find many ways to cope with this horrible situation. Love this!

This was my first read in poetry prose format and while it was unusual, the storyline and concept was serious enough for me to stay on until the end. I think it made it more poignant in the format it was in. A family destroyed by the actions of the father. Listening to the mother and the daughter as they grieve and adapt to the news. If the rest of the authors work is like this I would certainly give them a go.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a reviewThis was my first read in poetry prose format and while it was unusual, the storyline and concept was serious enough for me to stay on until the end. I think it made it more poignant in the format it was in. A family destroyed by the actions of the father. Listening to the mother and the daughter as they grieve and adapt to the news. If the rest of the authors work is like this I would certainly give them a go.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review....more

This was a short and powerful book. A lot of details, the writing style was a lot like Ellen Hopkins without as much rhyming. But I enjoyed it, there was a lot of depth in the main character the daughter.

That was the most disturbing thing I have read since 'Living Dead Girl', Jake is a monster and just never stops being one, his parts made me so uncomfortable. This was so messed up, so odd, and so well written.